Festival 56 closes with 'Into the Woods'

PRINCETON — Festival 56 will close out its summer season with the Stephen Sondheim musical "Into the Woods" presented at the Grace Performing Arts Center, 316 S. Main St., Princeton, July 27-Aug. 3. It plays at 7:30 p.m. on July 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, and Aug. 1 and 2. There is also a 2 p.m. show on July 30. The last performance is at 2 p.m. Aug. 3.

“'Into the Woods' will be the most ambitious show we have ever mounted at Festival 56,” said the play’s director, Tim Seib. “It is widely regarded as some of the most challenging material written for the stage, and I think we have put together the perfect team to pull it off.”

Seib is returning to the Festival for his ninth consecutive season. He has brought his own visionary take to all the Festival productions he’s directed, among them, "A Doll’s House," the "Wizard of Oz," "Lucky Stiff," "Proof" and "Cabaret."

"Into the Woods" can have a powerful effect on the audience, explained Seib. “The musical begins by weaving together famous characters from various fairy tales. These are characters we've all grown up with, just presented with a twist. As their tales unfold we start to see that their actions have grave consequences. These characters become very human as we watch them navigate problems that are more closely related to our own daily struggles than something out of a children's book. The entire gamut of human emotion is played out on stage through comedy, catchy songs, and heart wrenching drama.”

A discussion with the show’s cast, director and designers will take place after the opening night performance.

H&R Block, Princeton, is the sponsor of the Festival 56 production of "Into the Woods."

The Grace Performing Arts Center is completely accessible and ample nearby parking is available. To purchase tickets, visit www.festival56.com, call 815-879-5656, ext. 11, or stop by the box office, open from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and an hour before each performance.